Well sample washer

ABSTRACT

A sample washer comprising a stationary cylindrical case wherein a fine screen cylindrical cage is horizontally and rotatably mounted. Both the case as well as the cage are provided with access means for placing well cutting samples therein. A water manifold is also provided on which the fine screen cage is operably mounted. The manifold includes a number of oblong perforated tubes which extend lengthwise of the cage and which are adapted for spraying water upon well samples contained within the cage. The cage is rotatably mounted whereby the well samples can be continually rotated into position for washing by the jet stream provided by way of the perforated tubes. A swivel joint is affixed to the case whereby the cage and water manifold assembly can be continuously rotated while water is being supplied thereto. Means are also provided for rotating the cage during such operation.

United States Patent [191 Mikolajczyk Dec. 17, 1974 WELL SAMPLE WASHER [76] Inventor: Raymond F. Mikolajczyk, 6153 Carlisle Ct., Orleans Parish, La. 70114 22 Filed: Dec. 6, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 204,978

Primary Examiner-Robert Halper Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Pugh & Laiche 7] ABSTRACT A sample washer comprising a stationary cylindrical case wherein a fine screen cylindrical cage is horizontally and rotatably mounted. Both the case as well as the cage are provided with access means for placing well cutting samples therein. A water manifold is also provided on which the fine screen cage is operably mounted The manifold includes a number of oblong perforated tubes which extend lengthwise of the cage [56] References Cited and which are adapted for spraying water upon well UNITED STATES PATENTS samples contained within the cage. The cage is rotat- 46,919 3/1865 Madigan 209/380 X ably mounted whereby the samples can be contin- 107.958 /1870 Plutt 209/270 n rotated into position for washing by the j 1 g 3 1 stream provided by way of the perforated tubes. A l709'133 41929 i 2 swivel joint is affixed to the case whereby the cage and I7S7'S33 5/1935- 209/270 water manifold assembly can be continuously rotated |:882:662 10/1932 Haugnu 209/270 while water is being supplied thereto. Means are also 2 79 309 6/1957 5 u 209/3g0 x provided for rotating the cage during such operation.

2,857,053 10/1958 Schmiedcl 209/220 X FORElGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 2 Claims 3 Drawing Figures 1,184,611 12/1964 Germany 209/380 1 Y I 44 4| 33 34 g' WELL SAMPLE WASHER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to those arts concerned with devices for'washing and retaining representative drilled formation cuttings, e.g. as customarily obtained for analysis in oil field drilling operations.

It is an established practice in the art of drilling oil wells or the like to collect samples of the drilled formation or earth strata for subsequent analysis. Such samples provide valuable data to the geologists and petroleum engineers by which they are able to maximize drilling operations. Well cutting samples normally containa considerable amount of debris which are not required for analysis and/or impede their analysis, for example, a'sample may contain a considerable amount of drilling mud, and for that reason it is customary to wash the sample before submitting them for analysis.

There are numerous devices that have been designed and are available on the market today for washing well samples. These devices are characterized as being fairly expensive to manufacture and quite often, rather bulky. For these reasons, such devices have normally been limited to use in drilling operations where their member 22 and at its other end by virtue of the water distribution manifold chamber 23. The screen2l is preferably constructed of about 60 to 120 mesh wire cloth, especially of about I00 mesh. The oblong or elliptical perforated tubes 24 which extend lengthwise of the cylindrical screen 21, are connected to the cylindrical manifold chamber 23 with which they are in open communication. They are provided for directing a water jet stream upon the well samples positioned within the screen assembly 20.

As shown in FIG. 3, four of the perforated oblong tubes 24 are provided, being spaced on 90 center lines, for washing the well samples. The holes or apertures provided in the tubes 24 are sized and spaced com- I .mensurate with the water pressure available to perform the desired extent of washing. Generally, these apertures are of a diameter between about one-sixteenth of an inch to about one-eighth of an inch, spaced about 1 inch apart, which at a'water pressure of 50 pounds per transportation and storage does not pose a problem,

that is, in land drilling operations as opposed to offshore drilling operations. Needless to say, the transportation of oil field drilling equipment and related appurtenances, as well as storage thereof, in offshore drilling operations is relatively expensive. For that reason, many devices which may conveniently be employed in land base operations are not economically feasible for use in offshore drilling operations. There exists in such operations a need for a very portable and especially economical well sample washing means. By economical is meant to include a device because of its low manufacturing cost, could be discarded after an operation.

The present invention provides a very inexpensive well sample washing device which overcomes the limitations of prior art devices as well as provides other dis tinct advantages which will be evident as the discussion proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING F IG. 1 in the drawing depicts an isometric view of the present well sample washer means.

FIG. 2 in the drawing represents a cross-section elevation view taken along the Line No. 2--2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 represents a cross-section view of the present washing device taken along the Line No. 3-3 of FIG.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The present well sample washer means 10 comprises the stationary cylindrical case comprising the circular or peripheral side wall 11 and the end portions 12 and 13. The stationary clyindrical case is positioned horizontally during use and is preferably provided with the stansions or supports 14 and 15. The side wallportion square inch will provide sufficient washing for most operations. The perforated tubes 24 also serve as mixing baffles which pick up the well cutting samples at the bottom portion of the screen and carry them upwards during the course ofrotation to a point about,90 to '1 35 removed whereupon they are dropped downwards again to the bottomportion of the screen. During this tumbling sequence, the cuttings are continually exposed or allowed to fall through the jet stream provided by way of perforated tubes 24 whereby they are thoroughly washed in a very efficacious manner unobtainable in most present day washers.

The washer case 10 is provided with the drain conduit 25 which in turn can be provided withthe shut off 'valve 26. The effluent from the washing operation collects in the bottom of the case 10 and exits therefrom via the drain 25.

The swivel joint assembly 30 is provided at the water inlet end of the present washer whereby water can be fed to the manifold chamber 23 while the entire screen assembly 20 is being rotated. The swivel 30 comprises the outer race member 31 which in turn is operably connected to the source of water conduit 32 at one end, and its other end being suitably affixed to the end 12 of the washer case 10. The inner race member'33 in turn is connected at one end to the cylindrical wall portion 26 of the manifold chamber 23 with which it is in open communication therewith, and its other end bayonnets or fits within the inside of the member 31 wherein it is rotatably supported by virtue of the ball bearings 34. The annulus or clearance defined between the outer race 31 and its inner component 33 is sealed off by-virtue of the resilient packing means 35. It is not manditory that this sealing relationship be fully leak proof inasmush as any leakage between the members will only flow into the case 10 and ultimately thereout through the drain 25. Rather, leakage between the members need only be controlled to the extent that any considerable pressure dropwould not be realized that might impede the degree of washing desired.

The other end of the washing cage assembly 20 is preferably connected to means for rotating the cage, which means preferably also serves as a rotatable support or. journal for the washing cage assembly 20. As

shown in FIG. 2 of the drawing, the cage assembly 20 i is preferably rotated by virtue of the hand operated ro- 3. tating means 40 which'comprises the shank portion 41. which in turn is connected to the handle member 42 whereby an operator can crank the cage 20 during operation. The shank portion 41 in turn is operably connected to the shaft member 43 which in turn is affixed to the end plate 22 of the screen assembly 20. The shaft 43 is rotatably mounted within the ball bearing and seal assembly 44 which is preferably provided for frictionless operationHowever, a conventional sleeve and internal assembly can be substituted for the assembly 44 for further simplification of design.

The washing cage assembly 20 is provided with the sliding access door 27 which reciprocates backwards and forwards within the grooved path defined by virtue of the guide members 28.

The valve 36 is provided for control and water flow during a washing operation as described in detail hereinafter.

By way of operation, the present washing device is used in the following manner. The lid 17 is raised and the cage door 27 slid to the left out of position The operator thereupon placesthe well cutting samples to be washed within the foraminous cage assembly 20-, closing the variousaccess doors to initiate washing. The;

water control valve 36 is then opened, as well as the drain valve 26, and the screen assembly 20 rotated by virtue of the hand crank assembly 40 during which time the. well cutting samples are continually agitated and tumbled within the cage assembly 20 to achieve the results discussed above with regard to the detailed description of the perforated tubes 24.

. The perforations 25 within the oblong tube members:

24 are preferably positioned such that the resultant water stream is directed to a position immediately above the tube positioned diagonally across, especially along an arcuate path defined between about to 30 above the common tansversal center line of opposing perforated tubes. This preferred path of water impingement is represented by the directional lines 29 shown in FIG. 3 of the drawing. The preferred arrangement depicted in FIG. 3 of the drawing is also predicated upon the cage assembly being rotated in a clockwise direction so that the cutting samples are continually exposed to a water stream while confined between the wall of the cage and the top side of the tube 24 which additionally serves as a baffle. As a tubebaffle 24 lifts the cuttings upwards (assuming clockwise rotation in FIG. 3) from a bottom most position, the cuttings are continuously agitated until the tube assumes a rotational position of about 90 off the bottom, whereupon the cuttings begin to cascade downwards, passing through the next succeeding jets of water.

The oblong or elliptical perforated tubes 24 which extend lengthwise of the cylindrical screen 21 are connected to the cylindrical manifold chamber 23 with which they are in open communication. They are provided for directing a water' jet stream upon the well samples, etc.

It can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that various materials of construction can be employed in the manufacture of the present well sample washer means. Generally, the screen 20 and the access door 27, together with its related appurtenances, is fabricated of brass or bronze. The balance of the materials of construction can be made of steel or cast iron with the exception of the valves and the swivel joints which are commonly available in realtively inexpensive corrosion proof materials. Of course, as pointed out above, the present washer is realtively inexpensive to fabricate and for that reason theentire assembly can be fabricated from brass or bronze whereby essentially no corrosion problems wouldbe'realized'ln those instances where the present washer is notto be discarded and employed over and over. Moreover, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that various modifications in the overall basic configuration and design of the present washer means can be made without departing from the true scope and spirit of the present invention.

Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept herein taught, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiments herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it

is to be understood that. the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed as invention is:

1'. Well sample'washer means comprising:;

a. stationary cylindrical case meanshaving an access opening and a drain opening;

b. horizontally mounted cylindrical foraminous cage means rotatably mounted within said stationery case; said cage means having an access opening provided with a slidingdoor slidably attached to said cage means;

c. wash and spray manifold means havingamain dis tribution chamber portion and being further defined as comprising four oblong perforated tube portions extending essentially along the longitudinal axis of said manifold means and which are' spaced essentially equidistant on about centers and in open communication therewith, said cylindrical foraminous cage means being affixed to and mounted upon said manifold means and said oblong perforated tube portions which extend lengthwise of said cagemeans, said tube portions being oriented whereby the perforations therein face inward of said cage means such that sample material when caused to move over the inner peripheral surface of said cage meansis contacted by said tube portions which serve as mixing baffles; d. means for rotating said cage means comprising a hand crankwhereby an operator can rotate siad cage means by hand; and e. swivel joint means affixed to said cage means and operably connected to said manifold means and a source of pressurized liquid whereby said manifold means can be rotated within said cage means while liquid under pressure if forced through said manifold means and into said cage means through the perforations in said tubes such that well sample means contained within said cage means are impinged upon and washed while being agitated by said perforated tube portion. 2. The well sample washer means of claim 1 further characterized in that:

said swivel joint means comprises an outer race means to which a source'of liquid under pressure is attached; inner race means affixed to said manifold means; ball bearing means operably positioned between said inner and outer race means; and resilient sealing means alsooperably positioned between said inner and outer race meansto prevent leakage from the annulus defined between said members. 

1. Well sample washer means comprising: a. stationary cylindrical case means having an access opening and a drain opening; b. horizontally mounted cylindrical foraminous cage means rotatably mounted within said stationery case; said cage means having an access opening provided with a sliding door slidably attached to said cage means; c. wash and spray manifold means having a main distribution chamber portion and being further defined as comprising four oblong perforated tube portions extending essentially along the longitudinal axis of said manifold means and which are spaced essentially equidistant on about 90* centers and in open communication therewith, said cylindrical foraminous cage means being affixed to and mounted upon said manifold means and said oblong perforated tube portions which extend lengthwise of said cage means, said tube portions being oriented whereby the perforations therein face inward of said cage means such that sample material when caused to move over the inner peripheral surface of said cage means is contacted by said tube portions which serve as mixing baffles; d. means for rotating said cage means comprising a hand crank whereby an operator can rotate siad cage means by hand; and e. swivel joint means affixed to said cage means and operably connected to said manifold means and a source of pressurized liquid whereby said manifold means can be rotated within said cage means while liquid under pressure if forced through said manifold means and into said cage means through the perforations in said tubes such that well sample means contained within said cage means are impinged upon and washed while being agitated by said perforated tube portion.
 2. The well sample washer means of claim 1 further characterized in that: said swivel joint means comprises an outer race means to which a source of liquid under pressure is attached; inner race means affixed to said manifold means; ball bearing means operably positioned between said inner and outer race means; and resilient sealing means also operably positioned between said inner and outer race means to prevent leakage from the annulus defined between said members. 